Automatic position locator



Jan. 9, 1945. J. A. EBELING AUTOMATIC APOSl'lIOII LOCATOR Filed Dec. l1, 1943 5 SheetS-Shefrfl 1 4r M A 6 w3 T 00 Y 3 w w 7 VIM 2 v d Z 0 .E 9 2 B J Jan. 9, 1945. J. A, EBI-:LING

AUTOMATIC POSITION LOCATOR Filed Dec. l1., 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 9, 1945. J. A. EBELING AUTOMATIC POSITION LOCATOR Filed Dec. ll, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 9, 1945 UNTED STATES grani* ortie 7 Claims.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus which gives a continuous and automatic indication of the geographic position of a vehicle, such as an aircraft or ship, on a map carried on board the aircraft or ship.

In general, my device consists of two rotating, directional, short-wave, radio transmitters mounted on the surface of the earth or sea.v

These transmitters revolve in synchronism and cross their respective meridians simultaneously. On board the vehicle is a map adjacent which are mounted two devices arranged to indicate lines on the map, so that the intersection of these lines represents the position of the vehicle on the map. These means may conveniently consist of lights each of which casts a beam across the map. These lights are mounted so that the n beams are rotatable relative to the map but are normally held against such rotation. An armature is attached to each of the lights. In magu netic relation to the armature, there is provided a pair of rotating solenoids mounted for rotation synchronously with the beams of the radio transmitters by means of a constant speed motor through a magnetic clutch. A magnetic brake, interconnected with the magnetic clutch and with the rotating solenoids, normally holds the light against rotation. The vehicle carries a pair of radio-receivers each of which is responsive to the signals of one of the transmitters. These receivers are connected to the rotating solenoids preferably through a relay. There may also be provided synchronizing means for insuring that the rotating solenoids are rotating synchronously with and parallel to the beams of the radio transmitters. This synchronizing mechanism may consist of a third radio transmitter which may be non-directional, a third radio-receiver carried by the vehicle and responsive to signals from any of the other receivers, and a plurality of pairs of solenoids preferably coreless and located in pairs in magnetic relation to the pairs of rotating solenoids so that, when the coreless solenoids arepenergized due to a signal being'received by the third-receiver, the rotating solenoids, which are also energized, are drawn into alignment wtih the coreless solenoids and thus are properly located in zero position. The electrical connections between the radio-receivers and the solenoid, and the magnetic brake and the magnetic clutch, may be controlled by a controller which may be manually operated. but which may be conveniently provided with a magnetic switch and mechanism controlled by said magnetic switch for automatically rotating the controller.

The operating principle of my device is that if the instant that one of the beams of the directional radio transmitters crosses the meridian be known to .an observer on the vehicle, and the speed of rotation of the beam also be known, then' it is apparent that the lapse of time between the beam crossing its meridian and the reception of the beam signal by the vehicle will give an indication of the direction of the vehicle from the beam signal station. Knowing the vehicles direction from two such beam signal stations will iix the location of the vehicle according to well known surveying principles.

For a further exposition of my invention, ref-l erence may be had to the annexed drawings and specication, at the end thereof my invention will be specincally pointed out and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagram explanatory of my device;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View, with parts removed, of the receiving part of my device;

i Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the parts shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. f1 is a side elevation, broken in vertical cross-section, of the transmitting part of my device;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, with parts in vertical cross-section, of the device for indicating a line on the map and its associated parts; and Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the parts of my device. i

' That preferred embodiment of my invention selected from among others for illustration in the drawings and description in the specication is as follows:

1. The device in generaZ.-It is important that all the beams rotate in synchronism. It is therefore necessary to correct their intervals from time to time from one central station which may conveniently be a non-directional transmitter which may operate on any desired wave-length and which may be.located, for example, at A or B in Fig. 1, or at some other location. This synchronizing station would also serve as a check on the synchronism of the position locator on the vehicle. v

It is proposed that the entire country, and principal sea lanes, be laid out on a grid system, although other arrangements could also be used. In the grid system, the rotating beam stations A, B, G, H, will be locatedat the principal grid intersections, with the points e, f, g, h, i, 7', lc as secondary intersections. Accordingly, maps will be issuedv including each adjacent pair of stations and the secondary intersections to either side so that, no matter What course a plane or ship may be following, the most convenient choice of maps and radio beacons Will be available. The grid will be laid out with the axes running N-S and E-W.

As shown in Fig. 1, the plane P is in the zone ABjh and is headed West. In this case, the pilot would have his receivers tuned to radio beacons A and B andwould use the map covering the zone. ABjh. If the plane Were at the same position and traveling in a general N-S direction, the pilot would tune in radio beacons A and G and would use the map covering zone AfkG. The most feasible distance between the beacons will be determined by experiment.

2.' Transmitters-Figsyl and 5 show Yone of the proposed rotating, directional, ultrafshort Wave, radio beacons. The transmitter I has its own identifying frequency and operates continuously.L Theoutput oftheitransmitter isconducted tothe revolving directional# antenna-2 which consists of a vertcalmetal-rod at-the focal points of a parabolic#-sheet-metalr reector 1 3.v

This throws out arnarrovvradio beam' suitable for the purpose; and,V to further narrow the beam and :diminishidispersiom agrounded metal shield 4 is placed in suchva manner. as to cutoi-from transmission to' the other all the Waves not reflected from the reector. Asfpreviously stated, all. the radio beaconsof the system` rotate at the same speed and allhave their zero positions to the geographic North.: Which-theyfcross simultaneously. The antenna rod-2, parabolic reflector 3,` and. the grounded shield '4; are mounted on a turntablewhich is caused rtorotate. .by a conf stant speedl motor 6. f

3. Map and associated Figs. 2 and 3. the vehicle carries. afname or stand |/having a transparent or translucent top- |I, as of glass, on which may.v lne-mounted one Vof themaps I2 of thefgrid- .system described above and which is simliar to thediagram shown-in Fig. 1. Handles I3 and. |4=turntrods I5 and I6 and, .by V-means of' gearing .l1-I8 land Iii-.20, turn screws ZI- 22 mo-unted in bearings 25--26 and screws 23.-24" mountedlin bearings 21-28 These'screwsfmove carriages r29--30 and 32-33 which are connected by rods 3| and 34, respeci tively, andv Wh-ichsupport the directionalizing apparatus AAA;-lBBshownfin detail in Fig. 6v and which will be presently described. Handles; 35 and v36 operate screws 3F! and-38, respectively, so tha t-byfproper manipulation ofthe'handles the units ,Ahrend BB maybe flocated *under any de sired portion of the map I2. Wires 40 conduct current tothe units- AA and BB. I.

, yli.vDire :7i o11.czlz'az'ng Vapparati@s.-The units AA and BBare duplicatesand BB is illustrated in Fig. 6 and consistsof a frame 4,9 `carrying a -constant speedniotor 50- which operates `through gearing 5| Va magneticiclutch.generally indicated at C and consisting of a clutch-driving member 52, a clutch-driven memberf53, a spring 54, a coil 55, fand a shaft 6.` Shaft 56 carries a yoke. 5l on which are mounted a pair of rotating so1e noids generally indicated at F and consisting Vof a pair ,ofi coils 58 and la ApairofcQres 59. Solenoids nli should be `n fiou-ntednforV synchronous rotation withthe beams Offthegdirectional transmittersand for constant rotationrelative tomap |2r In other words, rotati ng solenoids F should not vary their ypositionsrelative to map l2 but should rotateat a constant rate :in respect there.. to. An armature 601is mounted onwthe casing parts-As is seen in for rotation by means ofshaft 6| which carries a base 62 on which is mounted a bracket 63 for a lamp B4 enclosed in housing 65 carrying a simple condensing lens 66 opposite a hole 61 and a curved lens 68 opposite a slot 69 which serves to transmit a narrow beam or slice of light onto the map I2. Spring 10 conducts current to lamp 64 by means of contact 1I on base 62. The magnetic brake is generally indicated at D and consistscfa coil 'I2 having a core 'I3 and an armature 14 which is stressed by4 spring 'I5 into contact with base 62 so as to hold light 64 against rotation when coil 12 is not energized. A pair of synchronizing solenoids are indicated at E and located-in magnetic relation for rotating solenoids F. Solenoids E may be coreless.

5. Receiving apparatus-Fig. 7 shows a synchronousreceiver |00 responsive to the signals of` the synchronizing transmitter and connected preferably by means of relays |0I to one of the contactsof one of the controllers nowk described. These controllersuconsist of a handle IOS-connested `to a shaft I 0'I @n.whichl is -mounted a ratchet |08 andcontroller disks I 0 9-I|0||| IIE-H3. Disks-|10, Ill, II2 H3 are connected tothe magnetici clutch C, the magnetic brake D, thewrotating` solenoids F, andthecOreleSs solenoids E, respectively; DiskV |09,is connected to coi-l- I M of a. magnetic switch, having anv arma# ture II5 rand a spring I2I stressing the armature awayl from theeore. 1A mechanism operated by themagnetic switch is provided ;for rotating the controller andlconsists of a'core IIE pivotally connected lto a lever ||,-'l rotatably mounted on shaft |01 and bearing a paw-l IIS-which cooperates with ratchet |08. Any other type. of motor for;l rotatingthel controller, mayv be usedif desired. Beam-receivers |02, |04` are mounted on the vehicle and are each` responsive to the signalsiof jone of thedirectional transmitters and may be connected to relays-|03,v |05, respectively. Lamps-64. which form parts of the directionalizing units AA and BB, are Yconnected across the battery II9 which is vconnectedto the ground at i6. Operation-The pilot or navigator of the vehicle selects a .suitable map f-orthe grid sec.- tion desired.. Y. He then setsthe directionalizing units AA and BB so that thellight thrown through lensesfv and holes` 6l falls onthe map at the locationrepresented by thelocation ofthe beam tr,ansmittersl Agand B on the- 'earths surface. The lpoints, of light serve admirably for this purpose. 1 The controllersl |06 are theny placed in position in which. they are shown in Fig. '7. The magnetic. switches. I I4v are thus connected so that,upon the reception of a signal from the synchronizing transmitter by the synchronizing receiverIO, therelays -IUI- are operated and current is transmitted to magnetic switches| Ill,` to magnetic clutches C, and-to lcoreless solenoids E. The-.magnetic switches cause the controllers |05 to turn into position 2 by means of mechanisms |.I 4|'I8. vClutches C and solenoids E aswellas rotating solenoids F and `magnetic brakeD being all simultaneously energized, light 6L and rotating s olenoidsF are free for rotation, and rotating solenoids F and armature `60 and', consequently the beams from lights 64 are drawn-into alignment with the synchronizing vSQlcnoids E and consequently into proper zero position.` In position; 2;, of controllersVV I 06,- magnetic switches `I4 aredisconnected from synchronous receiver |00 andare connected to-beazn lreceivers I|02 and |04 while magneticclutches C and synchronizing solenoids E are de-energized, consequently freeing rotating solenoids F for rotation by constant speed motor 50. signal by either receiver |02 or |04,` the corresponding magnetic switch is energized and rotates the corresponding controller |06 into position 3, which is the normal operating position. In this position, the magnetic switches I I4 are disconnected from either the synchronizing receiver or the beam-receivers |02 and |04. The magnetic brakes D and the rotating 'solenoids F, however, are located so that, upon the reception of a signal by the beam-receiver |02 or IBA, the magnetic brakes D are energized,

thereby freeing the lights S4 for rotation and, at the same time, the rotating solenoids F are momentarily energized, thus drawing the armature 60 into alignment with these solenoids and hence rotating the beam of light from the light 64 into a position corresponding to the line formed by the beam from the directional transmitter. The energization of magnetic brakes D and rotating solenoids F is only instantaneous during the short period of time the beam from the directional transmitter sweeps the vehicle, so that .the rotating solenoids F are quickly deenergized and only move armature |50 a small amount, while magnetic brakes D are also deenergized and hold the beam of vlight from light 60 into the position to which it has been turned.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates that modiiications may be made in details of construction and arrangement Without departing .from the spirit of the invention which is not limited as t0 such matters or as to matters of mere form.

I claim:

l. A receiving system for an automatic position locator comprising, a map, a plurality of lights each having provisions for shedding a beam of light across said map and rotatable relative thereto, a plurality of armatures each attached to one of said lights, a plurality of rotating solenoids arranged in pairs, each pair in magnetic relation to one of said armatures and arranged to align said armature with said pair because of the energization of said pair of rotating solenoids, a synchronizing radio-receiver, a plurality of radio-receivers each responsive to a diierent signal than any other of said receivers, a plurality of magnetic ybrakes each co-operating with one of said lights to co-ntrol the rotation of said light, a plurality of magnetic clutches each attached to one of said pairs of rotating solenoids to control the rotation of said pair, a plurality of synchronizing solenoids arranged in pairs, each pair in magnetic relation to said pairs of said rotating solenoids, a source of electricity, and a, plurality of controllers each controlling an electric connection under the control of one of said second-mentioned receivers, said connection extending between said source of electricity and one pair of said rotating solenoids and one of said magnetic brakes, said controllers also each controlling an electric connection under the control of said synchronizing receiver, said connection extending from said source of electricity to one pair of said synchronizing solenoids and to one pair of said rotating solenoids and to one of said magnetic brakes and to one of said magnetic clutches.

`2. A receiving system for an automatic position locator comprising, a map, a plurality of lights each having provisions for shedding a beam Upon the reception of a` of light across said map and rotatable relative thereto, a plurality of armatures each attached to one of said lights, a plurality of rotating solenoids arranged in pairs, each pair in magnetic relation to one of said armatures and arranged to align said armature with said pair because of the energization of said pair of rotating solenoids, a synchronizing radio-receiver, a plurality of radio-receivers each responsive to a diierent signal than any of said other receivers, a plurality of magnetic brakes each co-operating with one of said lights to control the rotation of said light, a plurality of magnetic clutches each attached to one of said pairs of rotating solenoids to control the rotation of said pair, a plurality of synchronizing solenoids arranged in pairs in magnetic relation to said pairs, each pair of rotating solenoids, a source of electricity, a plurality of controllers controlling an electric connection under the control of one of said radio-receivers, said connection extending between said source of electricity and one pair of said rotating solenoids and one of said magnetic brakes, said controllers each controlling an electric connection under the control of said synchronizing radio-receiver, said connection extending between said source of electricity and one pair of said synchronizing Isolenoids and one pair of said rotating solenoids and one of said magnetic brakes and one of said magnetic clutches, a plurality of magnetic switches connected by said controllers to said source of electricity under the control of said synchronous radio-receiver or under the control of one of said radio-receivers, and mechanisms each operated by one of said magnetic switches because of energization of said switch so as to rotate one of said controllers.

3. In a navigating apparatus for a movable bodyy a chart mounted on said body and fixed with respect thereto, a plurality of means fo-r receiving electro-magnetic Waves transmitted from distant stations, a plurality of means co-operating together for indicating on said chart the position of said movable body, a plurality of movable electrical means eaclrcontrolled by one of said receiving means for actuating said indicating means, a plurality of constant speed motors, a plurality of electro-magnetic clutches each connected to one of said motors and under the control of one of said means for receiving electro-magnetic waves to connect and disconnect one of said electrical means to one of said motors for rotating said electrical means relative to said chart, and synchronizing means for receiving electro-magnetic waves transmitted from a distant station and operable in response to said waves to start said electrical means in synchronism with each other.

4. An automatic position locator for vehicles such as air-craft or ships comprising, a plurality of radio transmitters each arranged to transmit a diierent signal in a beam rotating synchronously with respect to the other in a horizontal plane and crossing the same line at the same instant in the same direction, a synchronizing radio transmitter having a different signal from either of said transmitters, a map carried by said vehicle, a plurality of first means each arranged to indicate a line on said map passing through a location corresponding to one of said beam transmitters, a plurality of second means mounted for rotation synchronously with said beam transmitters, a plurality of radio-receivers carried by said vehicle and each responsive to the signal;v of one oisaid beam transmitters and each' means and causessaid second means to` movev one of said first means and the line indicated on the map by said nrst means into a position on ysaid map corresponding to the position of the beam from said radio transmitter, a synchronizing radio-receiver responsiveto the signals of said synchronizing transmitter, and additional means connected to said synchronizing receiver and arranged when energized to locate saidrst means in synchronism with said beam.

5. A receiving system for an automatic position indicator comprising, a map, a plurality of continuously illuminated lights having provision whereby each sheds a beam of light across said map and rotatable relative to said map, a plurality oi rotating solenoids arranged in pairs, a plurality of radio-receivers having non-rotating antenna t0 receive diierent signals and each having an output circuit including one of said pairs ofrotaltingv solenoids,` a plurality of armatureseach attached to one 4of said lights and located in magnetic relation to one of said pairs of rotating solenoids whereby one of said receivers energizes one `of said pairs of rotating solenoids and said pair of rotating Asolenoids attracts one of said armatures into alignment therewith, and a plurality of magnetic brakes each having braking engagement with one of said lights and electrically interconnected with one of said pairs .of rotating solenoids whereby one of said brakes tion locator comprising, a map, a plurality of lights having provisions whereby each sheds a beam of light across said map and rotatable relative to said map, a plurality of rotating solenoids arranged in pairs, a plurality of radioreceivers arranged to receive different signals and each having an output circuit including one of said pairs of rotating solenoids, a plurality of armatures each attached to one of said lights assente pairs of said' rotating solenoids whereby one oi said receivers energizes one of saidl pairs of rotating solenoids and said pairf ofY rotating solenoids aligns one of said armatures with said pair of rotating solenoids, a synchronizing radio-re'- ceiver responsive to different signals than any of said receivers, and a plurality of pairs of synchronizing solenoids arranged in pairs in magnetic relation to the said pairs of rotating sole` noids whereby said synchronizing receiver in respense to' a signal received by it energizes said pairs' of synchronizing solenoids and said pairs of synchronizing solenoids attract said pairs of rotating solenoids into alignment therewith.

'7. A receiving system for an automatic position locator comprising, a map, a plurality of lights having provisions whereby each sheds' a beam of light across said map and rotatable relative to said man, a plurality of rotating solenoids arranged in pairs, a plurality of radio-receivers arranged to receive different signals and each having an output circuit including one of said pairs of rotating solenoids, a plurality of armatures each attached to one of said lights and located in magnetic relation to one of said pairs of rotating solenoids whereby said receivers upon the reception of a signal energizes one of said pairs of said rotating solenoids and thereby attracts one of said armatures into alignment with said pair oi rotating solenoids, a synchronizing radio-receiver responsive to different signals than any of said receivers, a pluralityof pairs of synchronizing solenoids arranged in pairs in magnetic relation to said pairs of rotating solenoids wherebysaid synchronizing radio-receiver upon the reception of a signal energizes said pairs of synchronizing solenoids and thereby attracts said pairs of rotating solenoids into alignment with said pairs of synchronizing solenoids, a pair of constant speed motors, and a plurality of magnetic clutches each attached to one of said motors and adapted to connect and disconnect one of said pairs of rotating solenoids to one of said motors because of the energization of said magnetic clutch which is interconnected with one of said synchronizing solenoids.

JAMES A. EBELING. 

